GB2252297A

GB2252297A - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: GB2252297A
Application number: GB9102298A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Micheal John Smith
Original assignee: BAMPTON PACKAGING Ltd
Current assignee: BAMPTON PACKAGING Ltd
Priority date: 1991-02-02
Filing date: 1991-02-02
Publication date: 1992-08-05
Also published as: GB9102298D0

Abstract

A collapsible container 20 has, when erected, a base portion 22 with walls 24a, 24b upstanding therefrom and a plurality of attachment members 26, permanently attached to an outer surface of the base portion 22. Each attachment member 26 is adapted, in use, to engage and retain in position a rigid support member 28. The support members 28 provide ground-engaging support for the container 20, thereby providing a pallet integral to the container 20. <IMAGE>

Description

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER This invention relates to a collapsible container, especially a collapsible pallet container having an integral pallet.

The use of fibreboard containers stacked on separate pallets to enable containers to be readily lifted, for example by a fork-lift truck, is well known. However, the use of conventional separate pallets, normally made of timber, necessitates the maintenance of a stock of pallets wherever the containers are to be stacked.

It has also been known to have a preformed pallet permanently attached to the bottom of a container, for example as described in GB 1578720. However, although such containers obviate the need for the additional assembly operation of securing a pallet to the container prior to use, whilst such containers with an integral pallet may be collapsible after use, they may not be folded completely flat for storage purposes.

Additionally, collapsible palletised containers have been used previously whereby a piece of packaging material is folded on assembly so as to provide the container with pallet supports, and blocks of polystyrene may then be slid into the pallet supports, as described in GB 1555977. However, although the container may be folded flat after use and is thereby easily stored, the polystyrene blocks are cumbersome to store. The environmental implications of storing large quantities of polystyrene, together with the fire hazard aspect of doing so, also mean that such pallet containers are not ideal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved palletised container.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible container which, when erected, comprises a base portion with walls upstanding therefrom wherein a plurality of attachment members are permanently attached on an outer surface of the base portion, each attachment member being adapted, in use, to engage and retain in position a rigid support member, the support members providing ground-engaging supports for the container, thereby providing a pallet integral to the container.

In a preferred container in accordance with the present invention, the support members are spaced apart and aligned in parallel on the outer surface of the base portion, and thereby adapted to receive therebetween a mechanical handling means.

Preferably, the base portion comprises two closing flaps with a part of each support member attached on one flap and a complementary attached part on the other flap so that the two parts align when the flaps are in a closed position.

In a preferred container in accordance with the present invention each support member comprises first slide means adapted to slidingly engage with a complementary second slide means of the attachment member.

Each support member may have a groove extending lengthwise from one end towards the other along its ground-engaging surface adapted to locate in use strapping passing around the exterior of the container.

Each support member may, in addition, have a notch on the surface adjacent the base portion extending from one side towards the other adapted to locate in use means for locking the support member in position.

In one design of container in accordance with the present invention, each support member may provide at least one linear passage substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the support member of sufficient dimensions to receive therein a mechanical handling means.

In a preferred container in accordance with the present invention a support member is engaged with each attachment member to provide a pallet integral to the container.

Preferably, the container is made of foldable packaging material, suitably of fibreboard; however other suitable materials may be used, e.g. metal-edged plywood cases According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a folded fibreboard structure for assembly into a container comprising a base portion with walls upstanding therefrom wherein a plurality of attachment members are attached on an outer surface of the base portion, each attachment member being adapted in use to engage and retain in position a rigid support member, the support members providing ground-engaging supports for the container to form a pallet integral to the container.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a container embodying the invention. It will be realised that this container has been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention, upside down during the course of assembly; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container in use; Figures 3 to 6 are views of attachment members and support members showing slide means which may be employed in containers embodying the invention; and Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the illustrative container in a collapsed condition.

Referring to Figure 1, a container 20 embodying the invention has a base portion 22 with walls 24a, 24b upstanding therefrom and a plurality of attachment members 26, permanently attached to an outer surface of the base portion 22. Each attachment member 26 is adapted, in use, to engage and retain in position a rigid support member 28. The support members 28 provide ground-engaging supports for the container 20 (see Figure 2), thereby providing a pallet integral to the container 20. The illustrative container also comprises integral hinged flaps 21 to provide a top closure for the container; if desired, however, a separate lid may be used.

The support members 28 are aligned in parallel and spaced apart from each other to enable a mechanical handling means to pass between the support members 28; for example, to allow the forks of a fork-lift to be inserted beneath the base portion 22 of the container between the support members 28.

Suitably, the base portion 22 comprises two closing flaps 30a and 30b, with a part 32a of each attachment member located on one flap 30a, and a complementary part 32b located on the other flap 30b. Evidently, the positioning of the attachment member parts 32a, 32b must be such that they align with each other when the flaps 30a, 30b are in a closed position.

With reference to Figures 3 to 6, where like parts have been given like numerals, it will be seen that a first slide means 34 of each support member 28 is complementary in shape to a second slide means of the attachment member 26. The support member 28 may be shaped according to any one of Figures 3 to 6, or may have any other suitable shape whereby the support member 28 is adapted to slidingly engage with a complementary slide means of the attachment member 26. The attachment members 26 and support members 28 are made suitably from off-cut plywood and softwood materials, but any other suitable material may be used.

With reference to Figure 5, the support member 28 may, in one design of container 20, have a metal-edged slide means 34e. Referring to Figure 1, the support member 28 may be slid to make engagement with the attachment member 26 in the direction of arrow X and is substantially as shown in Figure 3.

The attachment members 26 are secured to the base portion 22 in any convenient manner, for instance by means of staples and adhesive.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, each support member 28 may have a groove 36 extending lengthwise along its groundengaging surface 37. When the container 20 has been assembled and loaded, strapping 38 may be applied around the exterior of the container 20, locating in the grooves 36. The strapping 38 thereby secures the closure of container 20 by securing the top and bottom flaps, and also further secures the support members 28 to the attachment members 26.

A possible additional feature to secure the support member 28 in position is to have a central notch 40 (see Figure 6h) on the surface of the support member 28 adjacent the base portion 22, which can locate means for locking the support member 28 on position. For example, with reference to Figure 1, a locking peg in notch 40 may register in a space 41 created for this purpose between part 32a of the attachment member located on flap 30a of the base portion and the complementary part 32b on the other flap 30b. The support member 28 would thereby be unable to slide in either direction within the attachment member 26 along its longitudinal axis.

As shown in the support member 28 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3b, the support member may provide at least one linear passage 42 substantially at right angles to its longitudinal axis. Any passages 42 are of sufficient dimension and spacing to enable a mechanical handling means to pass through them. This therefore allows, for example, for the forks of a fork-lift truck to be inserted beneath the base portion 22 from the side of the container 20 at right angles to the support members 28, as well as from the front of the container 20 parallel with the support members 28. In the former case, the forks pass through the passages 42 created within the support members 28, and in the latter case, the forks pass between the support members 28.

Therefore, when it is required to move the container 20 by means of a fork-lift truck, for example, the forks of the truck may be inserted beneath the container 20 from any of its four sides.

The container 20 is collapsible, such that it may be stored and transported in a flat condition, as illustrated in Figure 7, and opened out into the form shown in Figure 2 for use. It may be made from any suitable foldable packaging material: it is envisaged that the container be made preferably of fibreboard.

It will be realised, therefore, that a container according to the present invention provides many advantages. It provides a fibreboard container with all the benefits of a fibreboard case and a timber pallet, but there is no need for an awkward assembly operation or tools to secure a pallet to the container prior to use: the support members 28 are readily slid into the attachment members 26 to form a pallet integral to the container.

It is necessary only to store a supply of support members 28 wherever the containers 20 are to be used, removing the need to store a stack of pallets. Also, the container may be stored in a completely flat condition as the pallet is not permanently attached, thus minimising the pre-packing space used which is advantageous.

Using a fibreboard container 20 according to the present invention also removes the need for storage of polystyrene, with its attendant risks, as required for other palletised containers.

It is also envisaged that the pallet element of the container can be made suitably from off-cut plywood and softwood materials, so that it would be relatively cheap to produce.

Further the illustrative containers are better suited to heavy duty usage than the known containers referred to above.

The illustrative container offers the benefits of collapsible pallet containers in respect of conveniency of assembly, together with the advantage of durability offered by a timber pallet base as against existing fibreboard/polystyrene constructions.

Claims

1. A collapsible container which, when erected, comprises a base portion with walls upstanding therefrom wherein a plurality of attachment members are attached on an outer surface of the base portion, each attachment member being adapted, in use, to engage and retain in position a rigid support member, the support members providing ground-engaging supports for the container.

2. A container according to Claim 1 wherein the support members are spaced apart and aligned in parallel on the surface of the base, and thereby adapted to receive therebetween a mechanical handling means.

3. A container according to either one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the base portion comprises two closing flaps with a part of each support member attached on one flap and a complementary part attached on the other flap so that the two parts align when the flaps are in a closed position.

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each support member is adapted to slidingly engage with a complementary slideway in the attachment member.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one support member has a groove extending lengthwise from one end towards the other along its groundengaging surface adapted to locate in use strapping passing around the exterior of the container.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one support member has a notch on the surface adjacent the base portion extending from one side towards the other adapted to locate in use means for locking the support member in position.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each support member provides at least one linear passage substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of sufficient dimensions to receive therein a mechanical handling means.

8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a support member is located in each attachment member to provide a pallet integral to the container.

9. A container according to any one of the preceding claims formed from foldable packaging material.

10. A container according to Claim 9 wherein the container is made of fibreboard.

11. A folded fibreboard structure for assembly into a container comprising a base portion with walls upstanding therefrom wherein a plurality of attachment members are attached on an outer surface of the base portion, each attachment member being adapted in use to engage and retain in position a rigid support member, the support members providing ground-engaging supports for the container to form a pallet integral to the container.

12. A folded fibreboard structure for assembly into a container according to any one of Claims 2 to 10.

13. A container constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A piece of fibreboard for assembly into a container constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.